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Aberdeen teen relives the day he lost his brother and mum in beach tragedy

Julie Walker with her sons. (Lucas on left)
Julie Walker with her sons. (Lucas on left)

Aberdeen schoolboy Samuel Walker has spoken for the first time about the day he lost his mother and brother in a beach tragedy.

Julie Walker, 37, and her six-year-old son Lucas died after getting into difficulties in the water at Aberdeen Beach during a family day out in August.

Lucas had been playing at the waterfront with his brother Samuel, 13, when he was suddenly swept out to sea.

Both his mother and older brother leaped in after him to try to bring him back to shore.

But they struggled against the strong current and both Ms Walker and Lucas died shortly after being rescued. Samuel survived the ordeal and was taken to hospital.

Now almost six months after the tragedy, the teenager relives that tragic day.

He said the family were heading to a pet store to get things for a new puppy they were planning to get that weekend.

He said his younger brother had wanted to go see the waves after his mother told him the tide was in.

“He loved the beach the last time he was at it.,” Samuel said.

“So we went to go see it and then everything just happened wrongly.

“I fell and tried to grab Lucas and we were both stuck in it for at least three to four minutes and then my mum came in to try and help but she wasn’t in the best of health.

“Lucas couldn’t even float. It just happened quickly.”

He thanked those that had donated to a fundraising campaign, describing their efforts as “amazing”.

 

Also remembering that day was Samuel’s grandmother, Lynne Dawson, who relived the moment she was told her daughter and grandson had died.

She said she was making tea for her family when the police came to the door.

After sitting her down they told her there had been a tragedy at the beach.

“I just thought something had happened to one of the kids, they’ve had a row…. I never thought this was going to come out,” she said.

She was then told her daughter and son had been killed in the incident.

“I was just speechless,” Mrs Dawson said.

“I burst into tears and I was running about the place because I didn’t understand. My husband was with me and he was the same as well. He was crying.”

She said police then told her Samuel was ok and in hospital and wanted them by his side.

The grandmother spent the next three days by her grandsons side.

“I didn’t sleep all night,” she said.

“I just looked at him and watched him. He was covered from head to toe with lacerations from being beaten against the water. He’s a hero.

“They are my grandsons and I owe it to them to look after them. I love them.

“I miss Julie. I really miss Julie. And little Lucas as well. I think about him a lot.”